Fresh tension of fear of the unknown has enveloped the people of Edo/ Delta States following the unabated clashes between farmers/ herders in both states.
While Crops worth N200million have been reported to have been destroyed in Obetim – Uno Community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, no fewer than 35 Persons have been allegedly killed in the last six months within the two states while residents of Ovia North East Communities have been said to have fled their houses over the bizarre activities of the herders who have also allegedly raped countless housewives.
Although stakeholders in Edo Delta States have continued to dialogue in the best way to addressing the recurring clashes, but their efforts seemed to have been crashed with the anger of the relations of the victims who were allegedly murdered in Cold blood by these marauders
It was gathered that dialogue would have bring about understanding of the enormity of the situation and appropriate sanctions to the perpetrators, but insiders who have acting as traducers said that it was important for both herders and Farmers to appreciate their interconnectivity in the ecosystem and work to protect each other’s interest. The stakeholders said that the Continued destruction of farmlands by cattle would only lead to more antagonism towards herders, while urging residents to also learn to involve security agencies whatever there were infractions rather than taking the laws into their hands
Speaking to Journalists on Tuesday, The President General of Obetim- Uno Community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Sunny Meme had claimed that over N200million worth of Crops were destroyed by herders in the Community, adding that apart from the destruction of farmlands completely and its Crops, the herders allegedly have killed countless persons and however appealed to security Operatives to Collaborate with the local vigilantes in the Community to Curb the menace
Also, Pastor Benjamin Oyaole of the Redeemed Christian Church in Benin City, Edo State said” The situation we are here in Edo State is very unfortunate and disturbing with horrendous activities of the Suspected herdsmen who allegedly have killed countless persons in various Edo Communities, and we are appealing to Governor Obaseki, security Operatives to Collaborate with local vigilantes to put an end to these ugly situations. It may not have been reported in the Newspapers, but some residents in Ovia North East Communities have abandoned their houses for fear of unknown” In Delta, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) said it had intervened in the impasse between farmers and herders in Obetim-Uno Community as the Commandant in the state, Suleiman Jimoh has said.
Some farmers in Edo Delta States, One their leaders, Chief Godwin Okolie who spoke to our correspondent said” We are under siege of threats to lives by these herders..It is very unfortunate and disturbing that we cannot go to our farmlands because of their terrible activities, We cannot broker peace with people who have been destroying our farm crops with their Cows,but we are appealing to the state governments to come out on the final solutions to our problems’
DSP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State Police Command confirmed that there have several cases of herders Clashes with farmers, disclosing that the police have also arrested some of the herders for allegedly disturbing menace adding that the police will continue to protect the lives and properties of Deltans..on the alleged killings by Suspected Fulani herdsmen, DSP Bright Edafe said investigation was ongoing adding that some Suspects have been charged to court. While SP Chidi Nwanbuzor Police Public Relations Officer in Edo State Police Command confirmed that the police have arrested several persons in connection with alleged Killings and destruction of farmlands and Crops adding that investigation was ongoing with a view to ensuring that those responsible for the destruction of farmlands Crops and alleged rape, killings are brought before the court.
